Gopeng town's new draw

GOPENG, Malaysia - The former mining town of Gopeng has a new attraction. Five murals depicting the lives of communities and the tin mining industy of yesteryear can be seen along Market Street in the former mining town of Gopeng.

The paintings are done by artists Woh Jing Hao and Jane Low who started painting the murals in August.

The five murals are named Gopeng Orang Asli Hut, A Chinese Cultural Activity, Dulang Washing, The Original Gopeng Lai Fun Noodle Sold In A Tricycle and Open Court Sittings, and The Man On Old Scooters Beside A Traditional Malay Rojak Fruit Stall.

They are part of 10 murals being drawn by the two artists.

The other five, Gopeng Water-Pipe Deployed By A Herd of Elephants, Rafflesia Flower and The Orang Asli Blow-Piping, Gravel Tin Mining, A Traditional Olden Chinese Home and the Rubber Industry are expected to be completed in February next year.

Muzium Gopeng chairman Bernard Yaw said the mural project was mooted by members of the museum in line with efforts to promote the Hometown Revival Programme initiated in 2010.

Yaw added that the museum is also working with the Gopeng Community Library on a project themed I Love Gopeng which is running until Feb 10 next year, he said.

Yaw was confident that both activities would attract more visitors to visit Gopeng.

Citing Muzium Gopeng as an example, Yaw said it had recorded a total of 12,000 tourists since it first opened in 2009.